Seal

Abstract

The invention provides a seal ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ) for sealing between two members ( 1, 3 ) which are mutually movable so. as to slide relative to each other. One of the members comprises a body ( 3 ) with a channel ( 2 ) formed therein. The channel ( 2 ) has a longitudinal axis and the other member ( 1 ) is receivable in the channel ( 2 ) so that the two members ( 1, 3 ) slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first element ( 1 ) has at least one deformable plastics rib ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ) formed on a surface thereof. The rib ( 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ) faces the second element ( 3 ) and in use deforms on abutment with the wall of the channel ( 2 ) of the second member ( 3 ) to provide a seal between the two elements ( 1, 3 ) when they are stationary or moving relative to one another.

1 . A seal for sealing between two members which are mutually movable so as to slide relative to each other, a first one of the members having formed on a surface thereof facing a second of the members at least one deformable plastics rib for contacting the second member and sealing between the two members when they are stationary or moving relative to one another, and in which at least two ribs are formed on the surface of the first member so that the distance between the ribs alone the path of travel of the two members relative one another is greater than a predetermined distance of travel of the two members relative to each other along the path so as to allow one of the ribs to always remain within a predetermined area of the surface of the second member. 
   
   
       2 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the first one of the two members is constructed of plastics material and the rib is formed integrally therewith. 
   
   
       3 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the rib is sufficiently deformable and flexible so that it drags or wipes along the surface of the second member with which it is in contact as the two elements slide with respect to one another. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a plurality of the ribs is provided, the ribs being axially spaced apart from one another along the path of relative movement between the parts. 
   
   
       6 . A seal as claimed in  claim 1 , in which one of the members comprises a body with a channel formed therein, the channel having a longitudinal axis and the other member being receivable in the channel so that the two members slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first one of the members having formed on a surface thereof facing a second of the members the at least one deformable plastics rib. 
   
   
       7 . A seal as claimed in  claim 6 , in which an adaptor is provided between the wall of the channel and the receivable member, the adaptor comprising an endless skirt provided around a surface of one of the channel or the receivable member facing the other member, the skirt being connected to the member and being movable with the member so that mutually facing surfaces of the skirt and of the member to which the skirt is attached are spaced to define a gap therebetween, the at least one deformable plastics rib being formed around one of the mutually facing surfaces of the skirt and said other member, the skirt being sufficiently deformable and flexible in order to enable adjustment of the skirt to accommodate dimensional irregularities between the skirt and said other member when the two members are engaged so as to allow the at least one rib to seal between the mutually facing surfaces of the skirt and said other member when the two members are stationary or moving relative each other. 
   
   
       8 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt comprises a free end portion and a base portion about which the skirt is connected to the member. 
   
   
       9 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is formed around the receivable member and the rib is formed around the external surface of the skirt so that in use the skirt deforms in the channel to adjust to dimensional irregularities between the external surface of the skirt and the wall of the channel to enable the rib to seal therebetween. 
   
   
       10 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is sufficiently resilient to regain its original state upon withdrawal of deformation. 
   
   
       11 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is provided about an outwardly facing surface of a piston movable within a housing of a valve for sterile transfer of fluids with the rib being formed around the external surface of the skirt. 
   
   
       12 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is provided as an attachment connectable to the member via a coupling means. 
   
   
       13 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the coupling means comprises a snap-fit arrangement between the skirt and the other member. 
   
   
       14 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the snap-fit arrangement comprises a series of alternating resiliently deformable ribs and grooves formed around each of the mutually facing surfaces of the skirt and the other member the ribs of the skirt and the other member being deformable on assembly so as to engage with the corresponding grooves of the member and the skirt. 
   
   
       15 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is formed integrally with the member by forming an endless slot in the material of the member so that the slot is defined by mutually facing endless surfaces of the skirt and the member. 
   
   
       16 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is manufactured from plastics material. 
   
   
       17 . A seal as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the skirt is configured to be sufficiently resiliently deformable under a predetermined pressure range of fluid supplied into a gap between the mutually facing surfaces of the skirt and the member to which the skirt is attached, so as to deflect towards the other member thus enhancing the sealing action of the at least one rib between the skirt and the other member.